Gretna closes popular basketball courts due to vandalism

Gretna's basketball aficionados now have one less place to
play after city officials decided to close the open-air basketball courts at
the city's largest park because of repeated vandalism. Mayor Ronnie Harris said
the basketball courts at Gretna City Park on Gretna Boulevard have been closed indefinitely because
of repeated damage to the rims and backboards.

The city removed the rims and backboard from all four goals
at the park last month. Harris said the equipment had become damaged, and the
city was no longer interested in footing the repair bill, which can be
thousands of dollars. Recreation Director Tommy Trahan has repeatedly
complained to the City Council over the years about the persistent damage to
the goals, and the rims and backboard were replaced about three or four years ago.

Gretna officials have been seeking ways to reduce costs in recent years as the city's budget tightens due to declining revenue. However, the courts were extremely popular with children and
adults from the nearby neighborhood and were often packed with users during the
spring and summer. The decision to close the courts was an administrative one
and did not come before the council.